Article on Marijuana on boats

[smckean (Tosca)]

[hardee]

For me, the question was simple. "Do I want to be addicted to anything?" the answer was "No."

The reasoning we (humans) do not know to what extent we could become addicted to something. Some drugs are more addictive, true, but given each of our individual genetic makeup, one drink, one toke or one taste or one shot could be the one that sends us over the edge into addiction. In my Mom's family there was one uncle that that happened to. Genetically, the possibility is there, so I just prefer not to play with fire.

To each his/her own. I have made my decision, and my boat is drug and alcohol free.

Harvey
SleepyC

[localboy]

An opposite perspective: I responded to a call of a male who had posted a video where he killed the family's black lab. Wife reported it. She stated he had been smoking dope, daily, for months and as a result had lost his mind: paranoid, delusional, combative.... She had escaped the home with her children out of fear he would kill them. She stated he "was never like this" until he started smoking dope. He had in fact stabbed the dog numerous times and only due to our work in apprehending him and searching the home was the dog saved. Via investigation it was discovered that he had also burned the family's pet rabbit ALIVE.

Just one example. I have myriad.

[colbysmith]

FWIW, for or against MJ, many jobs won't tolerate it, and as a youngster, you may be affecting possible job opportunities later in life. I've never partaken, but I've been around those that have. I've also been employed most my life in positions of great responsibility that also include random testing. As for medical vs. recreational, I just read with interest. My mind isn't made up. However, I also see a lot of problems with alcohol, and have no tolerance for drunken idiots. Guess that kind of hints where I stand on that. Whatever you do, be responsible for it and live with the consequences of your choices. (We've had several incidents in Madison involving LEO's shooting dead drunks and druggees. No sympathy from me. Act like an ass, go berserk, disobey orders or attack a cop, expect to be shot. And if you are a family member of the deceased, understand they made a foolish choice that got them killed. Not the cop protecting them self or the public around them!) And yes, I'll have a glass of wine or a beer now and then, but then again that's legal. And I think I do it responsibly. Ok, enough politics from me on this forum! So, short answer, no pot on my boat. Colby

[thataway]

Recognizing the severe problems of alcohol...I have seen acute psychosis in the ER in a person who smoked one joint. (in fairness I have seen psychosis from many drugs as an "adverse reaction".) Also psychosis can occur without any inciting material or incident.

There is a debate in the medical community if all people who become psychotic after use of marijuana (one dose or prolonged exposure) had the underlying psychotic tendency and would have become psychotic irregardless of smoking the pot.

[Foggy]

Bob, once Pandora's Box has been opened, it's impossible to contain the demons...

IMHO, those who use any recreational mind altering chemicals have a problem
dealing with reality. They also risk becoming victims of our contradictory laws
and endanger their (and others) health and safety.

Aye.
Grandma used to say, "Get high on life."

[ken35216]

[Foggy]

Ken, I'll agree with your above post and therefore change mine from

"any recreational mind altering chemicals"

to

"excessive recreational mind altering chemicals"

with the realization "smoking anything is still smoking" (the jury is in on that one)
and some recreational drugs tried just once cause addiction obviating choice
thereafter.

Any thoughts on how "users" help others in general or is their using merely self
satisfying indulgment?

Aye.

[BillE]

Foggy posted----"Any thoughts on how "users" help others in general or is their using merely self
satisfying indulgment?"

Which led me to wonder; why should someone getting intoxicated, on anything whatsoever, be concerned with "helping others"?
When one enjoys wine are they concerned with helping others? When I have a cocktail I must admit that my thoughts are not on helping anyone at that particular moment and I am indeed merely being self satisfyingly indulgent. And why the hell not?
For me, if someone is not bothering or endangering anyone else then I consider it none of my business. I believe that this world in general and this country in particular would be much better off if more people did the same. Live and let live allows peace among neighbors and fellow citizens. The desire to control every behavior with which one disagrees leads to endless civic strife, which is where we are today.

[smckean (Tosca)]

I am continually amazed that statements from those who consider pot dangerous, believing pot to be completely avoided as a matter of safety and health (physical and mental), can be re-written using the exact same words, except with the word "alcohol" substituted for word "pot"; and such a re-written statement would read just as well carrying the same weight and implications. And yet I see folks, including the vast majority of C-Brats, using alcohol all the time......and no one seems to worry about it in anywhere near the same way as they worry about pot use.

Don't misconstrue what I am saying here. I am comparing alcohol and pot as used under the same conditions: that is, mild use of alcohol compared to mild use of pot, heavy use of both, or excessive use of both. I've seen all of the above on boats both while anchored/docked, and while underway. I just find it puzzling that so many condemn the use of pot (even mild use), and yet hardly anyone says a word when alcohol is being used causally. (Clearly, everyone condemns heavy use of either when operating equipment and such.)

P.S. Recreational pot use is legal in my state of Washington.

[colbysmith]

Tosca, I agree with your post above. But Pot is still illegal federally and in most states. Not my decision, and to be honest, too many other political priorities in my mind right now to really care much about which way the laws lean regarding it. (I'll leave the arguments to those more informed on the subject matter.) But, since the USCG can board in many of my boating locations, it won't be allowed on my boat! (or in my cars...since I travel through many states.) Colby

[Foggy]

[thataway]

[ken35216]

[hardee]

Ken, I just read that article linked in your last post. I see no evidence of "social behavior" including either alcohol or drugs (other than conversing with the coffee guy).

Harvey
SleepyC